Moving can quickly become expensive – rental deposits, renovations, moving companies, and new furniture often add up to high costs. But there are many ways to make a move to make it cost-effectivewithout sacrificing a smooth move. Here are the best money-saving tips for your move!
1. Plan early & calculate costs
🚨 Mistake: Many people underestimate the costs of moving and find themselves in financial difficulties.
✅ Solution: Create at least 2 months before the move a detailed cost overview:
- Rental deposit + first month's rent
- Moving company or rental van
- Packaging material
- No-parking zone (if necessary)
- Renovation & cleaning costs
- New furniture & furnishings
💡 Tip: If you plan your moving costs carefully in advance, you can avoid unnecessary expenses and save money!
2. Compare moving companies & take advantage of discounts
🚚 Why is this important?
- The prices for moving companies in Berlin vary greatly – a Comparison saves up to 30%!
- Last-minute bookings are often more expensive.
✅ Saving measures:
✔ Get multiple offers & compare prices
✔ Agree on a fixed priceto avoid surprises
✔ Use discounts – Many companies offer Discounts for moves during the week or in the off-season
💡 Tip: The cheapest moving day is Tuesday or Wednesdaybecause demand is lower.
3. Move yourself – rental car instead of moving company
🚛 When is it worth it?
- For smaller apartments or short distances, a Rental vans cheaper than a moving company.
✅ Saving options:
✔ Transporter frühzeitig mieten, um bessere Preise zu erhalten
✔ Freunde & Familie als Umzugshelfer einplanen
✔ Kosten für Benzin & Parkgebühren einkalkulieren
💡 Tip: If you have little furniture, you can Vans via car sharing providers such as ShareNow or Miles rent – often cheaper than traditional rentals.
4. Get packaging material for free
🚨 Mistake: Many people buy expensive moving boxes and packing materials, even though there are often cheap or free alternatives.
✅ Saving measures:
✔ Free boxes from supermarkets, pharmacies or classified ads
✔ Use clothes and towels as upholstery materialinstead of buying expensive bubble wrap
✔ Use IKEA bags & laundry basketsinstead of packing everything in boxes
💡 Tip: Ask in Facebook groups or classified ads for used moving boxes – these are often given away for free!
5. Avoid no-parking zones or apply for them cheaply
🚧 Why important?
- In Berlin, finding a parking space for your moving van can be difficult. Without a no-parking zone, you often have to walk further – which costs time and energy.
✅ Saving options:
✔ Apply to the city early (cheaper than through the moving company)
✔ Falls möglich: Ask friends or family with cars to keep a parking space free
✔ Moving mid-monthwhen there is less traffic and more free parking spaces
💡 Tip: If your move takes place on a Sunday or public holiday takes place, check whether parking is free – often no no-parking zone is necessary.
6. Deduct moving costs from your taxes
💰 Why is it worth it?
- If your move is job-related, you can save many costs as Advertising expenses settle.
- Private moves can also be claimed for tax purposes!
✅ Which costs are deductible?
✔ Umzugsunternehmen & Transportkosten
✔ Doppelte Mietzahlungen (falls nötig)
✔ Fahrtkosten & Verpflegung während des Umzugs
✔ Renovierungskosten der alten Wohnung
💡 Tip: Collect all invoices and receiptsto submit them later with your tax return.
7. Sell old furniture & household items
🚨 Mistake: Many people move with unnecessary baggage and pay for furniture they no longer need.
✅ Saving measures:
✔ Unnötige Möbel oder Haushaltsgeräte vor dem Umzug auf Sell on eBay classifieds, Vinted or flea markets
✔ Falls die Möbel nicht verkauft werden, können sie oft kostenlos donated or given away (e.g. in social department stores)
✔ The less you transport, the cheaper the move will be!
💡 Tip: Use apps like Too Good To Go or classifiedsto get rid of things quickly & easily.
8. Enlist friends and family to help you move
🚨 Mistake: Booking a moving company even though you have enough helpers.
✅ Alternative:
✔ Freunde oder Familie frühzeitig anfragen
✔ Als Dankeschön eine Pizza oder ein kleines Geschenk organisieren
✔ Falls keine Helfer verfügbar sind, gibt es günstige Umzugshelfer auf Plattformen wie MyHammer or TaskRabbit
💡 Tip: Plan the move on a weekendso that more friends have time.
Conclusion: A cheap move is possible!
With proper planning and a few savings tips, you can significantly reduce your moving costs. inexpensive alternatives, organize your move efficiently and benefit from tax advantages.
🚚 Are you looking for an affordable and professional moving company in Berlin? Praktik Transport offers fair prices and tailor-made moving solutions! Get a non-binding offer now! 🏠✨